DETRITUS

De‐tri″tus (?), n. [[F. détritus, fr. L. detritus, p. p. of deterere. See Detriment.]] 1. 1. (Geol.) A mass of substances worn off from solid bodies by attrition, and reduced to small portions; as, diluvial detritus.
☞ For large portions, the word débris is used. 2. 2. Hence: Any fragments separated from the body to which they belonged; any product of disintegration.
The mass of detritus of which modern languages are composed. Farrar.